Waypoints by Sam Heughan: Book Review

Some know him as Jamie Fraser from Outlander where he shines on the big screen, others know him as the creator of a smooth Scottish scotch-whiskey blend, but there is so much to Sam Heughan that you can't even begin to imagine before reading this book. In "Waypoints" Sam Heughan speaks about his Scottish adventure through the ninety-six-mile West Highland Way as well as his career and personal development. I'll be going through some of the pros and cons of this book, with no important spoilers ahead.

Pros of Waypoints by Sam Heughan

Humour

As close-minded of me as it may be, I never thought​ that someone who could play such a profound character like Jamie Fraser could be so funny. The way that Sam phrases certain encounters and anecdotes is just downright comedic; there are multiple points where he speaks about wild Scottish mushrooms and each time he mentions them I just crack up; I still can't look at mushrooms without laughing now. From his fishing adventures to his Batman Live mishap, Sam Heughan is one charming character. He had me hooked from his performance in Outlander, but seeing this side of his personality is very endearing, not giving me the same disconnect I get when reading celeb memoirs but quite the opposite; a friendly retelling of struggles, stories, and success.

Split Plot

The book is written going back and forth between his adventure on the West Highland Way in Scotland and his life story/history. I like the style because it's like you're reading two different stories at once, but they intertwine perfectly. Autobiographies/memoirs written like this are my favourite for exactly that reason keeping the reader entertained and enticed with two storylines from the same person. Plus, it's cool to see where he is now which is obviously an established actor, and then to go back and see how he got there in the first place is not only interesting but inspiring.

Cons of Waypoints by Sam Heughan

Language

Sam Heughan rarely cursed in this book, so that's not the language I'm talking about. More of a personal conundrum, but still worth mentioning because I have no other cons of this book; pronouncing the locations, names, titles and Scottish slang proved difficult to my Italian-Canadian brain. Heughan writes the dialogue of his fellow Scots phonetically, and it threw me for a loop. I found myself fascinated by that though, especially after watching Outlander I now find myself a bit more familiar with Scottish slang...maybe enough to book a trip? Hehe. Not a complaint at all, just something to keep in mind.

This was a very relaxing, entertaining read, that I read in a day and a half. I couldn't put it down. I loved Sam in Outlander and it was great to know about how he became an actor; the struggle and the success that a lot of celebrities fail to mention. He's very real, to the point where I felt like I was reading a friends letter rather than a memoir. He demonstrates what a humble yet successful actor can be, and it is admirable. I can respect his need for solitude and desire to disappear from the public eye without disregarding the people who helped him get there in the first place. If you need another reason to fall in love with Sam Heughan, give this book a read. My friends and family have asked to borrow this book from my personal library!

Have you read Waypoints by Sam Heughan? Are you planning to? Let's have a chat in the comments or on Instagram @cozyannotations!

A presto,

Melissa